title: Clinical applications of the CO2 laser in neoplastic lesions of the aerodigestive tract.
abstract: The use of the CO2 laser in otolaryngologic microsurgery offers the opportunity to reduce morbidity and deformity, and to decrease hospitalization time associated with resection of neoplasms of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. We used the CO2 laser to resect a variety of lesions in 14 patients. Laser resection was the primary mode of therapy, in combination with irradiation and chemotherapy. Local control of the neoplasms was achieved with a number of advantages over established modes of therapy. The CO2 laser continues to show promise as a means of primary control in head and neck neoplasms, with a minimum of morbidity and deformity.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005887:Gingival Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide